Celebrating our love for the ocean with sustainable fashion, three swimwear brands have been awarded Project JUST Seal of Approval in the swim category. Project JUST aims to provide informed guides to shoppers on sustainable and responsible fashion, and inspire businesses to uphold environmental and ethical standards. The judging panel seeks not only commitment to sustainability and ethical codes of conduct, but also considers availability, sizing, pricing, quality and aesthetics. Among 117 nominees, Riz Boardshorts, Finch Designs, and Shapes in the Sand are the winners of the Seal of Approval.

1. Riz Boardshorts

Seeing a gap in the market for well-designed gentlemen’s swimwear, Riz Boardshorts borrows from its British heritage and offers quality shorts with classic cuts, crafted detailing and elegant prints. They have also launched a new line of women’s swim shorts.

The swimwear by Riz Boardshorts exhibits meticulous design and craftsmanship (Credit/Beth Druce)

Though challenging, the London-based brand is committed to producing entirely from recycled and recyclable materials. From polyester fabric made from plastic bottles to thread, zippers, buttons and tags, Riz Boardshorts’ devotion to sustainability is unparalleled. Using digital printing and water-based inks, it reduces water usage by half compared to traditional printing methods.

Furthering efforts in circular fashion, its take back program “RizCycling” collects old and unwanted shorts, regenerates new fabric and produces new collections from them. Be rewarded with a 25-per-cent discount on a new pair when you give back!

Behind the scene on the creation of the Endangered Garden shorts (Credit/Beth Druce)

In partnership with the Marine Conservation Society, GBP £3 is donated for each pair of short sold, and 10 per cent of revenue generated from the Endangered Garden shorts will go to supporting local charity the Eden Project. Moreover, shorts from previous seasons are donated to the Wave Project, which collaborates with local surfers to promote mental health.

2. Finch Designs

Also paying its tribute to sustainable fashion is Finch Design, a Shanghai-based group that creates timeless fashion through a green lens.

Finch Designs gives a fresh and lively twist to what once was plastic bottles. (Credit/Finch Designs Facebook)

Sourcing Repreve® recycled polyester fabric made from recycled bottles, Finch Designs’ carbon footprint is reduced by 75 per cent. Approximately 90 per cent less water is used in production than that of virgin polyester. The use of solar power and packaging with 100-per-cent recycled polyester rucksacks are just a few other examples of the company’s efforts towards sustainability.

Nora’s Choice 3PC Set in Ginkgo White/Surf, $98 (Credit/Finch Designs)

As true believers in sustainable fashion, Finch Designs aims to create timeless pieces that last the years. By using its signature in-house designs and repeating 85 per cent of the prints, Finch Designs is giving a definite nod to slow fashion.

Since the launch of its first Repreve® fibre swimwear in 2013, Finch Designs has formed partnership with big names in luxury travelling, such as Six Senses, W Hotels, Mandarin Oriental, Ritz-Carlton, Park Hyatt and Naked Eco-Resorts.

3. Shapes in the Sand

Specialised in women’s swimwear, Shapes in the Sand has gone out of its way in the effort for sustainability. Most notably, the company’s reversible swimwear aims to maximise wear and reduce consumption. With a simple and modern cut, the eye-catching and colourful prints appeal to all.

Swimwear by Shapes in the Sand features bold prints and radiates modern simplicity (Credit/Eco Warrior Princess)

The Shapes in the Sand collection is produced from recycled polyester and Econyl®—regenerated nylon manufactured from post-consumer waste, such as fish net and carpet fluff. This cuts down manufacturing carbon dioxide emissions by 58 per cent compared to virgin nylon. Also employing techniques such as sublimation printing and strategic pattern cutting, Shapes in the Sand is a deserving winner of the Seal of Approval.

The “Scribbly Gum” print is created with eucalyptus leaves (Credit/Shapes in the Sand Facebook)

Inspired by the Australian Eucalyptus forest, the “Scribbly Gum” print is a mix of rustic and modern. It’s produced using an eco dyeing method with dye extracted from eucalyptus leaves. With each purchase from the Spirit of the Bush collection, AUD $25 will be donated to WIRES Australian Wildlife Rescue Organisation for building a facility for koala care.

The charitable work does not stop there! For each piece from the Girl & the Sea Capsule collection sold, AUD $15 will be donated to the Tangaroa Blue Foundation to fund beach clean-ups along the Great Barrier Reef Catchment.

Written by: Nicole Tang